A controversial choice, he brings grit and hard-nosed style. Isn't afraid to get involved, but hasn't done it consistently this year with Vancouver. He can be a classic power forward when he's at his best because he's got a scoring touch. Tough to play against. He's a competitor.

Adam Foote

NHL Team: Columbus Blue Jackets

Age: 34 Position: Defence

Hometown: Toronto

His move from Colorado to Columbus has not been an overwhelming success. But a lot has to do with the fact he hasn't been surrounded by the greatest talent and the Jackets are suspect. He's going to play a role in Turin. He doesn't do anything but provide solid play and his experience means he will be a leader in the dressing room.

Roberto Luongo

NHL Team: Florida Panthers

Age: 26 Position: Goaltender

Hometown: Montreal

Hasn't had a great season with the Florida Panthers, but he was a natural choice. He wants badly to have success and has had to step in before because of injuries on Team Canada to get the job done. Expect to see him play in the preliminary round because Canada wants to keep him ready. Might be a guy who gets better with the more shots he faces.

Wade Redden

NHL Team: Ottawa Senators

Age: 28 Position: Defence

Hometown: Lloydminster, Sask.

Has been one of the Senators most consistent defenceman and the club struggled during a 10-game stretch he missed with a knee injury. Will make his second start with Canada, but missed most of the World Cup in 2004 with a shoulder injury. Doesn't do anything fancy. Just moves the puck well and is going to be counted on for solid play.

Jason Spezza

NHL Team: Ottawa Senators

Age: 22 Position: Forward

Hometown: Mississauga

Was named as an alternate and isn't sure if he's going to get the chance to play. If anybody goes down up front, he'll be ready to step in and he has developed great chemistry with Heatley in Ottawa. Spezza is being groomed for 2010 in Vancouver and if he doesn't get the chance to play here, he'll be one of the leaders down the road.

Rob Blake

NHL Team: Colorado Avalanche

Age: 36 Position: Defence

Hometown: Simcoe, Ont.

He's a great skater with a great shot and he can be a physical defenceman. Another guy who has struggled this year. Anybody will tell you that he's going to be a good team player and he's going to be a strong voice in the dressing room. Blake is considered smart with the puck.

Simon Gagne

NHL Team: Philadelphia Flyers

Age: 25 Position: Forward

Hometown: Ste-Foy, Que.

Gagne is having a standout season with the Flyers and he's sometimes one of those guys you forget about with Team Canada. Had 10 points at the 2005 world championships and is going to be counted on to provide offence for Canada. He's got good speed which means he could have success on the big ice.

Bryan McCabe

NHL Team: Maple Leafs

Age: 30 Position: Defence

Hometown: Calgary

At the start of the year, he wasn't on anybody's radar screen. He has emerged as one of the top blueliners in the league this season and has played a big role on the Leafs' power play. Named to the taxi squad, he'll get a chance to play with the injury to Ed Jovanovski. Probably deserved a chance to start in the first place.

Robyn Regehr

NHL Team: Calgary Flames

Age: 25 Position: Defence

Hometown: Prince Albert, Sask.

In his sixth NHL season, Regehr missed the first 14 games this year with a MCL sprain. Has returned to form and has been excellent for the Flames. Played a big role in club's march to the Stanley Cup final in 2004. Isn't going to contribute big offensive numbers for Team Canada, but will provide good defensive play and be a steady contributor.

Martin St. Louis

NHL Team: Tampa Bay Lightning

Age: 30 Position: Forward

Hometown: Laval, Que.

The NHL MVP in 2003-04, St. Louis has had a tough time handling the pressure of a new $30-million US contract with the Bolts. Hasn't performed up to expectations this season, but didn't lose the faith of Canadian officials. Played solid for the country at the World Cup in 2004, but he is going to have to show early he deserves regular playing time on this team.

Martin Brodeur

NHL Team: New Jersey Devils

Age: 33 Position: Goaltender

Hometown: Montreal

Got off to a difficult start this season, but there was never any doubt he was going to be on the team. Brodeur's New Jersey Devils are rolling and he's a big reason why. Led Canada to gold in 2002 in Salt Lake City and he'll be given every chance to do it again this time around. Does a great job at smothering rebounds.

Dany Heatley

NHL Team: Ottawa Senators

Age: 24 Position: Forward

Hometown: Calgary

A change has done a world of good for this guy. The move from Atlanta to Ottawa has not only helped Heatley escape the tragedy of teammate Dan Snyder's death in 2003, but it has changed the focus on the ice as well. He has had tremendous success with Jason Spezza this season and Heatley might have one of the best shots on this team. He loves to play and thirsts for gold.

Rick Nash

NHL Team: Columbus Blue Jackets

Age: 21 Position: Forward

Hometown: Brampton

He was a forgotten man in the Team Canada process. A high ankle sprain kept him out of action most of the first half of the season, but Gretzky didn't forget him. Nash might be the most natural goal scorer on the team. It's going to help him to success with the country, but he's not having much in Columbus.

Brad Richards

NHL Team: Tampa Bay Lightning

Age: 25 Position: Forward

Hometown: Murray Harbour, P.E.I.

Another player who has shown a lot of maturity by winning a Stanley Cup and the 2004 World Cup. He isn't going to play as big an offensive role with Team Canada as he does with the Lightning, but Richards can be counted on for big goals. Has a Conn Smythe Trophy because he knows how to step up in big games. That experience will be valuable in this tournament.

Eric Staal

NHL Team: Carolina Hurricanes

Age: 21 Position: Forward

Hometown: Thunder Bay

Many believe he should have been named to the regular roster, but he's going to get his turn in 2010. Staal has helped lead the Hurricanes to the top spot in the Eastern Conference and they're considered a Stanley Cup contender. If he has to step in, Staal can skate and score goals. Not many weaknesses in his game. He just needs a chance to show he can play.

Shane Doan

NHL Team: Phoenix Coyotes

Age: 29 Position: Forward

Hometown: Halkirk, Alta.

This is one of Wayne Gretzky's disciples. Scored the winning goal for Canada in the World Cup and is considered a hard-nosed player. That's going to be important. Hasn't had a lot of success in Phoenix this year, but in a short tournament like the Olympics he could be a difference maker. He's done it in the past.

Jarome Iginla

NHL Team: Calgary Flames

Age: 28 Position: Forward

Hometown: Edmonton

A walk-on at the 2002 Team Canada training camp, Iginla has become a guy who is being counted on. Hasn't had a consistent season, but played a big role in winning the gold in 2002 in Salt Lake City and was key at the World Cup in 2004. Without Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman, Iginla is going to be counted on a little more to step up for his country.

Scott Niedermayer

NHL Team: Anaheim Mighty Ducks

Age: 32 Position: Defence

Hometown: Edmonton

Former Norris Trophy winner has been troubled by a knee injury that requires surgery, but he's expected to get the play for Canada. Will it hurt his effectiveness? That's a good question. He doesn't think so and he's been able to play on it most of the season with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Canada needs him on the ice.

Joe Sakic

NHL Team: Colorado Avalance

Age: 36 Position: Forward

Hometown: Burnaby, B.C.

Is going to take on the role of captain with the decision by Mario Lemieux not to play. That's not going to be a big change for Sakic because he has always been considered a big leader for this team. Knows what it takes to win and was one of the club's top players when Canada won gold in Salt Lake City.

Joe Thornton

NHL Team: San Jose Sharks

Age: 26 Position: Forward

Hometown: London, Ont.

Though he was struggling with the Bruins, a move to the San Jose Sharks has been just what was needed for Thornton. He has been one of the top players in the league since being dealt and he's a smart player. Has good chemistry with Nash after they played together last year in Switzerland. They'll be a force because Thornton can step up here.

Kris Draper

NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings

Age: 34 Position: Forward

Hometown: Toronto

It's a bit of surprise that he is on the team, but he battled hard for the spot. Has learned how to play the game and be a strong defensive player. Draper can skate, he knows how to check and will chip in the odd goal. Canada needs to have a defensive forward like this and he did a solid job in the World Cup.

Vincent Lecavalier

NHL Team: Tampa Bay Lightning

Age: 25 Position: Forward

Hometown: Ile Bizard, Que.

Lecavalier can thank Yzerman for bowing out of the 2004 World Cup and giving him a chance to step onto the stage for a coming out party of sorts. Lecavalier matured as a player when he got a chance to shine on the world stage. He has won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning and has become a force in the league. He's a strong skater. Will play a key role.

Chris Pronger

NHL Team: Edmonton Oilers

Age: 31 Position: Defence

Hometown: Dryden, Ont.

Pronger had to bow out of the 2004 World Cup because of injury. He had a tough time adjusting to the new NHL at first, but has been getting a lot of minutes with the Oilers this season. He's going to be counted on to play well defensively for Canada because this club has its share of offence on the blueline. Has competed for the country six times.

Ryan Smyth

NHL Team: Edmonton Oilers

Age: 29 Position: Forward

Hometown: Banff, Alta.

They call him 'Captain Canada' for a reason. He is making his 11th appearance internationally for the country and he has always been willing to step up when needed. Isn't going to be a scoring machine and has to work for everything he gets, but he brings it every night and that's what Gretzky wants. The tournament will determine where he fits in.

Marty Turco

NHL Team: Dallas Stars

Age: 30 Position: Goaltender

Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie

A surprise selection for the club, he beat out the struggling Jose Theodore for the No. 3 job. This will be Turco's first chance with Team Canada and if anything happens to Brodeur or Luongo, Turco has plenty of experience. A solid goaltender, he can step up if he gets the chance.